13 LSU The resurgent Tigers are loaded at the skill positions and have big expectations to fulfill

Middle linebacker Treverance Faulk knew the fans cared, but hedidn't know how much until the purple-and-gold-clad massesstormed the Tiger Stadium field last season after LSU's stirringwins over Tennessee and Alabama. "There were even old menrunning around," Faulk says. "They were hugging me, crying. Itwas unbelievable."

Not entirely. On Feb. 7 some of these same fans showed up, about4,000 strong, at the Sheraton Atrium in Baton Rouge and stayedfor 10 hours to cheer as the names of LSU's latest recruitingclass were flashed across a big-screen television. With theTigers coming off a surprising 8-4 season and buoyed by thereturn of 17 starters--not to mention a recruiting class rankedamong the top three in the nation by most gurus--second-year coachNick Saban needs to deal with runaway expectations.

"The challenge facing a lot of our guys, who didn't experiencesuccess until last year, is handling that success," Saban says."Some horses run better from behind. We have to learn how to runfrom ahead."

Saban will be aided in that task by the 6'3", 225-pound Faulk, ajunior who led LSU with 113 tackles last year and enters hissecond season as one of the team's captains. Faulk, whose cousinKevin was an All-America for the Tigers in 1996 and plays runningback for the New England Patriots, not only takes his teammatesto task on the field but also chides those who miss a class orstudy hall. He leads a defense that has 10 starters back,including fellow junior linebacker Bradie James, who had 110tackles and five sacks in 2000.

The offense is loaded at the skill positions. Senior quarterbackRohan Davey, who came off the bench to win offensive MVP honorsin a 28-14 Peach Bowl win over Georgia Tech, has the starting jobto himself with the early departure of Josh Booty to the NFL.Davey has the luxury of throwing to experienced receivers andhanding off to a backfield topped by sophomore LaBrandon Toefield(682 yards).

The Tigers are no powerhouse--they outscored their SEC foescombined by a point last season (196-195)--but the fans' optimismover the program's direction isn't unfounded. Faulk and his mateshope to reward that passion. "They're nuts, but we love them,"Faulk says. "I'd love to have a breakthrough season to give thema lot more to cheer for."

--Pete McEntegart

COLOR PHOTO: JERRY WARD With James (11), Faulk and end Kenderick Allen (54) stuffing opponents, LSU usually wins the close ones.

FAST FACTS

2000 record: 8-4 (5-3, 2nd SEC West)Final ranking: No. 22 AP

TELLING NUMBER

22.4Difference in points per game scored at home (34.7) and away(12.3) by LSU in 2000.

ENEMY LINESAn opposing team's coach sizes up the Tigers

"The big question is Rohan Davey as a starting quarterback. Hepitched well in relief last year, coming off the bench to bringhis team back in the second half against Georgia Tech. He has acannon for an arm, but he has been overweight and prone toinjuries. He needs to get them out of bad plays at the line....[Linebacker] Treverance Faulk seems smart and has size andspeed. LSU takes advantage of his athleticism and uses him wellin man-to-man coverage."

Before he became the premier postseason performer of his generation, the Patriots icon was a middling college quarterback who invited skepticism, even scorn, from fans and his coaches. That was all—and that was everything